RICS APC Cheat Sheet 2026
The 27 highest-yield RICS APC facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.
- Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, what protection does Part II provide to business tenants? → Security of tenure — the right to renew the lease at the end of the contractual term
- Under the RICS Code of Measuring Practice (6th Edition), what does 'GIA' stand for? → Gross Internal Area
- What does 'IPMS' stand for in the context of property measurement? → International Property Measurement Standards
- Which of the five methods of valuation is most commonly used for standard residential properties in the UK? → Comparison method
- What is the most common cause of rising damp in UK buildings? → A failed or absent damp-proof course (DPC)
- What type of cracking pattern typically indicates subsidence in a building? → Diagonal cracks that are wider at the top and taper towards the bottom
- In the context of leasehold property valuation, what is a 'ground rent'? → The rent paid by a leaseholder to the freeholder for the use of the land
- What is a 'programme' in the context of construction project management? → A schedule showing the planned sequence, duration, and timing of construction activities
- What does 'BREEAM' stand for in the context of sustainable building assessment? → Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
- What does 'alienation' mean in the context of a commercial lease? → The tenant's rights to deal with the lease interest by assignment, subletting, or charging
- Which RICS Rule of Conduct requires members to maintain their professional competence and only undertake work for which they are competent? → Rule 2 — Act with competence, care and respect
- What is the effect of 'contracting out' of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954? → The tenant waives their right to security of tenure and automatic lease renewal
- Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, who is the 'responsible person' for fire safety in a multi-tenanted commercial building? → The employer, occupier, or person with control over the premises or relevant part of it
- Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, what statutory protection is afforded to business tenants at the end of their lease? → Security of tenure — the right to renew the lease on similar terms
- How many hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) does RICS require qualified members to complete per year? → 20 hours per year, of which at least 10 must be formal/structured CPD
- What does 'tenant covenant strength' refer to in commercial property management? → The tenant's financial standing and ability to meet its lease obligations
- What does 'Part L' of the Building Regulations in England primarily cover? → Conservation of fuel and power (energy efficiency)
- Under the RICS Red Book, what is a 'Red Book Valuation'? → A valuation carried out in accordance with RICS Valuation - Global Standards
- What is a 'yield' in property investment valuation? → The relationship between income and capital value, usually expressed as a percentage
- What is the 'Years' Purchase' (YP) in the investment method of valuation? → The multiplier applied to income to determine capital value, derived from the yield
- Under the RICS Professional Statement 'Service Charges in Commercial Property', when must a service charge budget be issued to tenants? → Before the start of the service charge year to which it relates
- What is the purpose of the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC)? → To campaign for a sustainable built environment and provide guidance to the industry
- Which valuation method would typically be used to value a hotel or petrol station? → Profits method
- What does 'NIA' measure in commercial property? → Net Internal Area
- What is the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) for commercial property lettings in England and Wales? → EPC rating of E
- What does 'efflorescence' on brickwork indicate? → The presence of soluble salts being brought to the surface by moisture evaporation
- What is the UK Government's target year for achieving net zero carbon emissions? → 2050
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